1.1.1 Statement of Need
For many years, the interface points between humans and computers has been a standard configuration. As technology has advanced, new alternatives have been developed. Although many of these new technologies exist, there has not been a push to combine these technologies together to change how humans interact with machines.
Along with advancing human interfacing, there is also a need for a faster and more configurable CNC. Most CNCs are slow and tedious, causing development times of projects to grow. A faster, more robust robot would cut down on project time and open the door for other applications. Reconfiguration will help any technology adapt and stay relevant.
One application that would be possible with a better interface and more robust robot would be printed circuit board repair. Many leads on components are incredibly small and hard for humans to manipulate. This leads to extra errors when repairing, causing lost time.
1.1.2 Research Summary
The Delta Robot was inspired by two major sources. The first was a Kickstarter, the OpenBeam Kossel Pro. This team used a delta robot for 3D printing, leaving the application limited. Another group, Rostock, has also developed a 3D printer with a Delta Robot. The Rostock printer is open source, but still only a 3D printer. The Delta Robot is also known to be used in many situations where pick and place capabilities are their main function. Due to the design, a Delta Robot can have more degrees of freedom than a standard linear CNC. There is also a Pocket Delta and the Delta Cube, which are used for high precision applications. The Pocket Delta has a small work area and the Delta Cube is rather complex and expensive. There are no available Delta Robots that are affordable, precise, contain a large work area, is customizable, and open source.
One major advancement to how a human interfaces with a machine is the Oculus Rift. The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality helmet that can handle 3D output through stereoscopic vision. The helmet also has motion sensors to be able to sense where a user would like to look or change focus to.
The Leap Motion is another new technology that is reshaping how humans interact with machines. The Leap Motion is a control interface that is touch free. The Leap has a work area monitored by infrared sensors that can track many objects, but specifically had hands in mind. The Leap can track multiple hands and each finger individually. It also has high resolution in tracking, with users being able to write their full name in a 2 cm block. This technology has been used in many applications, from replacing a mouse to controlling a robotic hand. Its versatility has the potential to be useful, especially as its availability and community grows.
When a human tries to perform a task, there is one limiting factor: the human's fine motor skills are limited by what they can see. When a human looks into a microscope, it is very easy for them to manipulate small items with tweezers. Increasing the resolution of what a human can see will increase the resolution of what a human can manipulate.
Along with all of this, many people have experienced the difficulty of repairing surface mount components. Due to their size, it can be difficult to repair with just a soldering iron.
The system will be intuitive.
The system will act predictably.
The system will have an ergonomic design.
The system interface will be simple.
The system will automatically configuration itself.
The system will be robust.
The system will have a modular design.
The system will operate safely.
The system will not harm humans.
The system will not harm itself.
The system will be able to recover from unexpected occurrences.
The systems will versatile in its uses.
The system will be able to be used for multiple applications.
The system will be able to use multple interfaces for communication.
The system will be open source.
1.1.3.3 Engineering Requirements
Performance The system will have an accuracy less than 0.025mm.
The system will have a resolution less than 0.25mm.
The system will have a work area 50cm in diameter and 50cm in height.
Environmental
The system will be easily transportable.
The system will produce less than 85 dB of sound from 3 feet.
Health and Safety
The system will have thermal shutdown.
The system will have an emergency stop switch.
The system will shutdown if a user enters the work area.
Reliability
The system will have a its critical components shielded from the work area.
The system will be modular.
The system will use standard components.
The system will be vibration resistant.
The system will be able to run for 2000 hours of operation a year.
The system will have 95% of units working after 5 years.
Interfacing
The system will be compatible with standards.
The system will have no more than five menus.
The system will have Ethernet comparability.
The system will have wireless capabilities.
1.1.3.4 Required Resources
The team will require a dedicated collaborative space where regular meetings can occur, and items can remain posted between meetings. A lab area, equipped with computers that have circuit simulation, PCB editing software, and soldering stations will be required for the hardware design and construction. The software development can be done through any computer that has the proper tools installed, which depends upon the hardware chosen for the project. Financial resources required will be determined upon initial analysis of the project requirements, but should not exceed $5,000.
1.1 Background Summary
1.1.1
Statement of Need
For many years, the interface points between humans and computers has been a standard configuration. As technology has advanced, new alternatives have been developed. Although many of these new technologies exist, there has not been a push to combine these technologies together to change how humans interact with machines.
Along with advancing human interfacing, there is also a need for a faster and more configurable CNC. Most CNCs are slow and tedious, causing development times of projects to grow. A faster, more robust robot would cut down on project time and open the door for other applications. Reconfiguration will help any technology adapt and stay relevant.
One application that would be possible with a better interface and more robust robot would be printed circuit board repair. Many leads on components are incredibly small and hard for humans to manipulate. This leads to extra errors when repairing, causing lost time.
1.1.2
Research Summary
The Delta Robot was inspired by two major sources. The first was a Kickstarter, the OpenBeam Kossel Pro. This team used a delta robot for 3D printing, leaving the application limited. Another group, Rostock, has also developed a 3D printer with a Delta Robot. The Rostock printer is open source, but still only a 3D printer. The Delta Robot is also known to be used in many situations where pick and place capabilities are their main function. Due to the design, a Delta Robot can have more degrees of freedom than a standard linear CNC. There is also a Pocket Delta and the Delta Cube, which are used for high precision applications. The Pocket Delta has a small work area and the Delta Cube is rather complex and expensive. There are no available Delta Robots that are affordable, precise, contain a large work area, is customizable, and open source.
One major advancement to how a human interfaces with a machine is the Oculus Rift. The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality helmet that can handle 3D output through stereoscopic vision. The helmet also has motion sensors to be able to sense where a user would like to look or change focus to.
The Leap Motion is another new technology that is reshaping how humans interact with machines. The Leap Motion is a control interface that is touch free. The Leap has a work area monitored by infrared sensors that can track many objects, but specifically had hands in mind. The Leap can track multiple hands and each finger individually. It also has high resolution in tracking, with users being able to write their full name in a 2 cm block. This technology has been used in many applications, from replacing a mouse to controlling a robotic hand. Its versatility has the potential to be useful, especially as its availability and community grows.
When a human tries to perform a task, there is one limiting factor: the human's fine motor skills are limited by what they can see. When a human looks into a microscope, it is very easy for them to manipulate small items with tweezers. Increasing the resolution of what a human can see will increase the resolution of what a human can manipulate.
Along with all of this, many people have experienced the difficulty of repairing surface mount components. Due to their size, it can be difficult to repair with just a soldering iron.
1.1.3
System Requirements
1.1.3.1
Stakeholder Chart
1.1.3.2
Marketing Requirements
The system will be intuitive.
The system will act predictably.
The system will have an ergonomic design.
The system interface will be simple.
The system will automatically configuration itself.
The system will be robust.
The system will have a modular design.
The system will operate safely.
The system will not harm humans.
The system will not harm itself.
The system will be able to recover from unexpected occurrences.
The systems will versatile in its uses.
The system will be able to be used for multiple applications.
The system will be able to use multple interfaces for communication.
The system will be open source.
1.1.3.3
Engineering Requirements
Performance
The system will have an accuracy less than 0.025mm.
The system will have a resolution less than 0.25mm.
The system will have a work area 50cm in diameter and 50cm in height.
Environmental
The system will be easily transportable.
The system will produce less than 85 dB of sound from 3 feet.
Health and Safety
The system will have thermal shutdown.
The system will have an emergency stop switch.
The system will shutdown if a user enters the work area.
Reliability
The system will have a its critical components shielded from the work area.
The system will be modular.
The system will use standard components.
The system will be vibration resistant.
The system will be able to run for 2000 hours of operation a year.
The system will have 95% of units working after 5 years.
Interfacing
The system will be compatible with standards.
The system will have no more than five menus.
The system will have Ethernet comparability.
The system will have wireless capabilities.
1.1.3.4
Required Resources
The team will require a dedicated collaborative space where regular meetings can occur, and items can remain posted between meetings. A lab area, equipped with computers that have circuit simulation, PCB editing software, and soldering stations will be required for the hardware design and construction. The software development can be done through any computer that has the proper tools installed, which depends upon the hardware chosen for the project. Financial resources required will be determined upon initial analysis of the project requirements, but should not exceed $5,000.